Morgan Arts Council celebrates 30 years

The Morgan Arts Council (MAC) celebrates its 30th anniversary of presenting and promoting the arts in Berkeley Springs and Morgan County on Sunday, May 20 at 4 p.m. The party is held at the Ice House, an art center in progress that has been home to the arts council since 1996.

"There is no argument that in the timeline of MAC accomplishments over the past three decades, the acquisition of the Ice House is the most significant," said Jeanne Mozier, MAC's founding president and still a member of the board of directors. "That's why, along with eating birthday cake, the featured activity on Sunday will be tours of new spaces for art activities at the Ice House," she said.

The public is welcome to share the occasion with MAC members. "We plan only a brief business meeting to conduct our annual election," said Ann Harkins, current president. "Then it is on to partying and touring. We are really proud of all the work that has been done on the building."

Among the new spaces are a dance and movement studio on the second floor complete with wood floor, lockers and mirrors. By early June, classes will be available in a variety of dance styles from Friday evening ballroom dancing to international folk and modern dance. "In a way, this connects MAC to its roots," said Mozier. "For the first three years, community square dances were the main activity sponsored by MAC."

Mary Hott, MAC's Executive Director, points with pride at newly opened spaces. "Even more than simply having more room, we are excited about all the new programming it allows us to offer the community." With several additional classrooms, MAC is inaugurating regular Saturday art classes for both youth and adults in September. "We'll be offering 36 weeks of classes in everything from fiber and performance to bookbinding," said Hott. "Each class is